Experts make their Eagles-Vikings predictions

Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart have both been ruled out for the Vikings on Sunday. (AP)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Running backs Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart are both inactive for the Vikings’ game Sunday against the Eagles at the Metrodome.

Peterson, a five-time Pro Bowl pick and three-time all-pro who missed Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record by eight yards last year, has a sprained foot. Gerhart has a hamstring injury.

Peterson’s 5.0 career rushing average is third-best in NFL history among backs with at least 1,000 carries. Gerhart has emerged as a capable backup, with 283 rushing yards this year on just 36 carries -- a 7.9 average.

With Peterson and Gerhart both out, the Vikings are down to two tailbacks -- Matt Asiata and Joe Banyard -- with a combined three career carries.

Asiata, a second-year undrafted free agent from Utah, had three carries for nine yards last year with a long gainer of five yards. He also had one reception for two yards. He has neither a carry nor a catch this season. Banyard, also a second-year undrafted free agent -- from UTEP -- has no career carries.

The Vikings also have fullback Jerome Felton, a six-year veteran who has 36 career carries and a 3.2 average. His last carry was on Oct. 23, 2011, for the Panthers against the Redskins.

Asiata wears No. 44 for the Vikings and Banyard wears No. 23.

Also for the Vikings, Shaun Prater will start at cornerback in place of injured Xavier Rhodes.

Prater spent the first seven weeks of the season with the Eagles and played in one game, against the Chiefs.

For the Eagles, safety Earl Wolff is out for a fourth straight game with the knee injury he suffered against the Packers on Nov. 10.

Wolff, who had won the starting free safety job over Patrick Chung, is among the Eagles’ inactives for their game Sunday against the Vikings at the Metrodome.

Chung is expected to make his eighth start of the year and fourth in a row since Wolff got hurt.

Cornerback Cary Williams, who was added to the Eagles’ injury report on Thursday with a hamstring injury, is active and expected to start.

The Eagles’ only other injured player is linebacker and special teamer Najeh Goode (hamstring), who is also inactive.